Connaissance du traitement chez des patients suivis en service de gériatrie ambulatoire : liens avec les troubles cognitifs, l'apathie et les croyances liées aux médicaments

This study evaluated associations between knowledge about medication and cognition, beliefs, and apathy amongst older adults in an outpatient department. Thirty older adults between the ages of 62 and 90 responded to the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (Horne), the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (Sockeel), and to questions about their medication. Their cognitive status was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Batterie Rapide d'Efficience Frontale, the Clock Drawing test, and Dubois's 5-word test. Levels of knowledge about medication were poor, and low levels were associated with older age, lower MMSE scores, the presence of apathy, and belief in the non-harmfulness of medication. In the light of these results, special attention should be paid to these factors in the medical care of older adults.